PayStream
PayStream is a UK-based provider of umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and contractor compliance services to thousands of individual contractors, freelancers, small businesses, sole traders, and recruitment agencies, generating recurring subscription and margin-based fees through its My Max umbrella platform, Tifo screening software, and adjacent tax and payroll offerings.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersAltrincham, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What PayStream does
PayStream, operating as PayStream Accounting Services Ltd, is a UK-based provider of umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and contractor compliance services headquartered in Altrincham, Cheshire. Founded circa 2000 and operating with 251-500 employees, the company serves thousands of UK contractors, freelancers, sole traders, landlords, and small business owners, primarily those working through recruitment agencies within IR35 regulations. Its flagship product is My Max, an umbrella company service that provides continuous employment status with statutory benefits, accessible via a secure cloud-based online portal and mobile application offering 24/7 access to payslips, expense management, and a retailer rewards scheme.
The platform extends into a broader contractor services portfolio, including limited company accountancy and personal tax services, Self Assessment filings, International Payroll for overseas contractor moves, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offering, outsourced payroll processing, and the Tifo candidate screening software with integrated ID and background checks. Adjacencies include IR35 status review (IR35 Comply), contractor mortgages, and Kingsbridge-partnered business insurance. Technology is delivered through a multi-product cloud portal rather than bespoke infrastructure; the mobile app is positioned as a self-serve access layer for payslips and onboarding, while Tifo functions as a B2B channel sold into recruitment consultancies.
Revenue is generated across four streams: a margin on the umbrella assignment rate (after PAYE, NI, and statutory deductions), recurring subscription fees for accountancy and tax services, recurring fees for International Payroll engagements, and per-transaction fees for Tifo candidate screening. Go-to-market is sales-led, combining direct phone sales and online self-serve onboarding, indirect distribution via recruiter and agency referral partnerships (with a dedicated Recruiter section on the website), SEO/content marketing around HMRC compliance topics such as MTD for ITSA, and a member referral program. Pricing is quote-based and tailored per contractor circumstance, with no publicly disclosed pricing tiers.
PayStream firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PayStream
- Legal name
- PayStream Accounting Services Ltd
- Website
- https://paystream.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- PayStream is a UK-based provider of umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and contractor compliance services to thousands of individual contractors, freelancers, small businesses, sole traders, and recruitment agencies, generating recurring subscription and margin-based fees through its My Max umbrella platform, Tifo screening software, and adjacent tax and payroll offerings.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PayStream industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contractor Payroll and Umbrella Services
- NAICS
- Payroll Services (541214)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Contractor Payroll, Invoicing & Payment Services (BPACAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed Payroll Services (Full-Service Payroll Outsourcing) (BPAAAHAA), Global Payroll & Multi-Country Payroll Management (BPACAHAC), Global/Multi-Country Payroll & Cross-Border Payments (BPACAIAD), Payroll & Employment Tax Services (BPAHABAD)
Keywords
Where PayStream is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Altrincham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PayStream business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Umbrella PAYE Services: PayStream operates an umbrella company (My Max) that employs contractors working on assignments. Revenue is generated through a margin on the employment services, deducting PAYE, National Insurance, and other employment costs from the contractor's assignment rate before paying the net wage.
- Accountancy and Tax Services: Tailored accounting and tax services for contractors, small businesses, sole traders, and landlords including limited company accounting, tax returns, and MTD for ITSA compliance.
- International Payroll: Payroll services for companies expanding overseas, ensuring candidates are paid on time without requiring establishment of new entities abroad.
- Candidate Screening: Background check and screening services for recruitment consultants, utilizing cloud-based software with integrated ID verification.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Customized service packages based on individual contractor requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
PayStream product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PayStream operates the UK's leading umbrella company under the My Max brand, delivering continuous PAYE umbrella employment, payroll processing, and accountancy and tax services to contractors, freelancers, and sole traders. It complements these consumer-facing services with international payroll for businesses expanding overseas, outsourced payroll for UK SMBs, Tifo candidate screening for recruitment agencies, a PEO offering, and IR35 Comply status review and ongoing support.
Product overview
PayStream is a UK-based services provider offering a unified platform of contractor services centered around umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and compliance solutions. The core offering is My Max, their umbrella company service providing continuous employment for contractors inside IR35, accessible via a secure online portal and mobile app. This is complemented by Accountancy Services (including limited company accounting, tax services, and Self Assessment returns), International Payroll for overseas expansion, and Candidate Screening (Tifo) for background verification. Additional add-on services include IR35 Comply reviews, contractor mortgages, business insurance, and MTD for ITSA compliance. The portfolio is accessible through a customer portal and mobile app, with services designed for contractors, freelancers, and small businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- My Max: Umbrella company brand offering continuous employment for contractors with features including online portal, mobile app access, and rewards program
Products and services
- My Max Umbrella Company Service
- PEO (Professional Employer Organization) Service
- Accountancy and Tax Services
- International Payroll
- Outsourced Payroll
- Tifo Candidate Screening
- IR35 Comply
Quantifiable outcome
- Contractors can save £100s each month through salary sacrifice pension contributions by reducing both PAYE and NI contributions.
Companies that use PayStream
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PayStream technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
PayStream partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FCSA (Freelancer & Contractor Services Association)coreFCSA accreditation for both umbrella and accountancy services. The FCSA accredits compliant umbrella companies and promotes best practice within the contractor services industry. This partnership provides regulatory credibility and assurance of compliance standards.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PayStream competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Orange Genie: UK-based umbrella company and contractor accountancy provider offering PAYE umbrella, limited company accountancy, and IR35 services. Directly overlaps PayStream's contractor services portfolio.
- Dolan Accountancy: UK contractor accountancy and umbrella services provider. Directly comparable to PayStream across the umbrella employment and contractor accountancy offering.
- Brookson Group: UK contractor accountancy and umbrella services provider with similar IR35-focused positioning and recruiter channel distribution. Comparable to PayStream across contractor accountancy and umbrella segments.
- SJD Accountancy: UK contractor and freelancer accountancy specialist offering limited company accounting, personal tax, and IR35 support. Closely comparable to PayStream's accountancy services division.
- Giant Group: UK umbrella and contractor accountancy provider serving contractors and recruitment agencies. Comparable to PayStream across umbrella employment, accountancy, and international payroll, and is one of PayStream's closest direct competitors.
- ClearSky Contractor Accounting: UK contractor-focused accountancy firm offering limited company services, tax returns, and IR35 support to freelancers and contractors. Competes with PayStream's accountancy and tax service line.
- Parasol Group: One of the largest UK umbrella companies, providing PAYE umbrella employment and accountancy services to contractors. Directly comparable to PayStream's My Max umbrella offering and competes for the same recruiter and contractor base.
Broad incumbents
- Remote.com: Global EOR and payroll platform enabling companies to hire and pay contractors and employees internationally without local entities. Directly comparable to PayStream's international payroll service, with significantly broader geographic coverage.
- Deel: Global Employer of Record and international payroll platform serving contractors and full-time employees worldwide. Compares to PayStream's international payroll and PEO offerings from a much larger, technology-led base.
Others
- Kingsbridge Contractor Insurance: UK specialist contractor insurance provider, already a PayStream partner for contractor insurance. Listed here because it is a closely adjacent ecosystem player in the UK contractor services stack.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PayStream social profiles
Digital presencePayStream financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PayStream leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
PayStream funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PayStream M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PayStream
What does PayStream do?
PayStream operates the UK's leading umbrella company under the My Max brand, delivering continuous PAYE umbrella employment, payroll processing, and accountancy and tax services to contractors, freelancers, and sole traders. It complements these consumer-facing services with international payroll for businesses expanding overseas, outsourced payroll for UK SMBs, Tifo candidate screening for recruitment agencies, a PEO offering, and IR35 Comply status review and ongoing support.
Is PayStream a public or private company?
PayStream is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was PayStream founded?
PayStream was founded in 2000. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is PayStream based?
PayStream is headquartered in Altrincham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does PayStream make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Umbrella PAYE Services are the primary driver. The others are accountancy and Tax Services, international Payroll and candidate Screening.
Who are PayStream's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Orange Genie, Dolan Accountancy, Brookson Group, SJD Accountancy, Giant Group, ClearSky Contractor Accounting and Parasol Group. Broad incumbents are Remote.com and Deel. Kingsbridge Contractor Insurance is listed as an others.
Does PayStream have an API?
No public API is recorded for PayStream.
What industry is PayStream in?
PayStream's product category is Contractor Payroll and Umbrella Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAGAD, Contractor Payroll, Invoicing & Payment Services, with a secondary code of BPAAAHAA, Managed Payroll Services (Full-Service Payroll Outsourcing). Its NAICS code is 541214 and its SIC code is 7361.